Pesticides in Food

A worldwide survey of neonicotinoids in honey E. A. D. Mitchell1,2,* et al (Science 06 Oct 2017: Vol. 358, Issue 6359, pp. 109-111) We assessed the global exposure of pollinators to neonicotinoids by analyzing 198 honey samples from across the world. We found at least one of five tested compounds (acetamiprid, clothianidin, imidacloprid, thiacloprid, and thiamethoxam) in 75% of all samples, 45% of samples contained two or more of these compounds, and 10% contained four or five. Also filed under neonicotinoids.

Millions of eggs removed from European shelves over toxicity fears (The Guardian, 3 Aug.2017) Food contamination is not an unknown occurrence in Canada either. Fipronil is an insecticide used to get rid of fleas, lice and ticks on pets but is not allowed in food production. If ingested long term the highy toxic can damage the liver, thyroid gland and kidneys....but it's OK for pets... When you buy a flea product, pease check the ingredients. Also filed under pets.

Agricultural Uses of Antibiotics Escalate Bacterial Resistance. Organic Leads in Prohibiting Antibiotic Use. (Pesticides and You, winter 2016-17) Presents information on antibiotic use in animal and fish production as well as in agriculture for the control of bligh and other bacterial crop diseases. Discusses residued in food and water. The use of glyphosate, a registered antibiotic, in crop production dwarfs knows uses of all other antibiotics by at least 3 times. Gives some of the organic alternatives. Unfortunately only US data with few international for contaminated fish.

Beyond Pesticides Sues Mott’s for Labeling Pesticide-Laden Applesauce “Natural” (Beyond Pesticides, May 8, 2017) – A national environmental health organization last Friday sued Mott’s, under consumer protection law, for false and misleading “natural” labeling of applesauce products containing a toxic pesticide. The suit argues that the finding of residues in the company’s applesauce of the neonicotinoid insecticide acetamiprid, which is particularly toxic to pollinators, disqualifies the products from being labeled “natural” or as containing “all natural ingredients.” There are concerns in the scientific literature and European Food Safety Authority about the effect of acetamiprid on human health, particularly children.

Nearly a third of food samples in CFIA testing contain glyphosate residues (CBC News. Apr 13, 2017) The Canadian Food Inspection Agency's report on testing of glyphosate is titled "Safeguarding with Science: Glyphosate Testing in 2015-2016, and was published on its website this week. Levels of herbicide exceeded acceptable limits in 1.3% of all foods, 3.9 of grains among 3,188 foods tested. Over 1/3 of grain products tested contained glyphosate and close to 1/3 of infant cereals and infant food. Glphosate is the most widely sold pesticide ingredient in Canada, according to Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency, which said in a report obtained by CBC News that more than 25 million kilograms of it were sold in 2014 (the most recent year for which data is available). No food recalls were issued as even the foods exceeding the MRL were considered safe. see also see also Canadian Food Inspection Agency Finds Residues of Glyphosate in One-Third of Food Products Tested (Beyond Pesticides, April 17, 2017) SNAP Comment: Health Canada relies on the outdated model of "the dose makes the poison" to determine toxicityof a pesticide. It is now known that glyphosate has effects at concentrations well below the Canadian Maximum Residue Limits (MRL) which varies between .1 to 20 ppm depending on the food.Seralini showed negative health effects at .1 ppb (1000 times lower than .1 ppm)

FDA Tests Confirm Oatmeal, Baby Foods Contain Residues of Monsanto Weed Killer (Huffington Post, 09/30/2016; Updated 2 days ago) In the sample results shared, the levels ranged from nothing detected in several different organic oat products to 1.67 parts per million, according to the presentation. Farmers are encouraged by Monsanto to use RoundUp on most crops. Even though the FDA annually examines foods for residues of many other types of pesticides... It was only in February of this year that the agency said it would start some glyphosate residue analysis. That came after many independent researchers started conducting their own testing and found glyphosate in an array of food products, including flour, cereal, and oatmeal. Quaker Oats has said any trace amounts of glyphosate found in its products are safe, and it stands by the quality of its products. HERBICIDE IN HONEY In addition to oats, the FDA also earlier this year tested samples of U.S. honey for glyphosate residues and found all of the samples contained glyphosate residues, including some with residue levels double the limit allowed in the European Union,

Pesticide residue found on nearly half of organic produce (CBC News, Jan 08, 2014) “It’s a dramatically lower figure than conventional food, so it illustrates the advantages of organics. But it's also very disturbing that it very clearly illustrates the fact that we've soiled our own bed,” Kastel said in an interview with CBC News from his farm near Rockton, Wis. SNAP NOTE:A news item missed in 2014. It is still worth buying organic because it encourages the industry and a general reduction in pesticide use. A news item missed in 2014. Usually the news of contamination of organic produce by pesticide is released by CropLife Canada, the pesticide industry organization. as a media release .I don't know where CBC got this news. Organic certification certifies growing methods, but when it rains and snows pesticides and they contaminates most surface waters, nothing and nowhere is pesticide-free.

Not Just For Corn and Soy: A Look at Glyphosate Use in Food Crops (US Right to Know, 4 May 2016) Ubiquitous in food production, glyphosate is used not just with row crops like corn, soybeans and wheat but also a range of fruits, nuts and veggies. Even spinach growers use glyphosate...Notably, glyphosate use is also seen with a variety of crops not engineered to be sprayed directly. Looking at the period ending in 2013 compared to 2011, glyphosate use in wheat production was pegged at 8.6 million pounds, up from 8.1 million pounds; use in almonds was pegged at 2.1 million ...pounds, unchanged from the prior analysis; grape use was pegged at 1.5 million pounds, up from 1.4 million pounds; and rice use was estimated at 800,000 pounds, compared to 700,000 pounds in the prior analysis...You can check out your own favorite food here and compare it to the prior analysis here Some on the list may surprise you, including cherries, avocados, apples, lemons, grapefruit, peanuts, pecans and walnuts.

Glyphosate Residues Found in Common Breakfast Foods(Beyond Pesticides, April 21, 2016) A report released Tuesday by the Alliance for Natural Health (ANH) shows that glyphosate residues are widely distributed in common breakfast foods, such as bagels, cereals, creamers, and eggs. Glyphosate is a pervasive and toxic chemical found in Monsanto’s Roundup weedkiller and was classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as a probable human carcinogen in 2015...Categories tested were: flour, corn flakes, instant oatmeal, bagels, yogurt, bread, frozen hash browns, potatoes, cream of wheat, eggs, non-dairy creamers, and dairy based coffee creamers. Of note is the finding that a sample of organic cage-free eggs contain more glyphosate than the allowable tolerance level. The lab found glyphosate residue levels of 169 parts per billion (ppb), while the allowable tolerance level is only 50ppb. more on glyphosate.

Glyphosate Found to Contaminate California Wine(Beyond Pesticides, March 25, 2016) Glyphosate is found to contaminate California wines, according to a new report from the non-profit group Moms Across America. Glyphosate is pervasive and toxic chemical found in Monsanto’s Roundup weedkiller and was classified in 2015 as a probable carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

GOING GMO-FREE Grocer's ToolkitMany Canadian stores were submitted to the contest including Dad's organic in Regina and Saskatoon. Make your grocery store aware of this and tell them you don't want gmos in your food, cosmetics and other products.

Glyphosate Residues in Popular German Beers(Beyond Pesticides, February 29, 2016) Last Thursday, the Munich Environmental Institute stated that it had found traces of glyphosate, the widely used and controversial weed-killer, in 14 of Germany’s most popular beers. These findings are a potential blow to Germany’s Beer Purity Law, which is highly regarded in German beer culture... According to the study’s results, all levels found were above the glyphosate residue level allowed in drinking water.Paulle' note: European drinking water standards are usually much tighter than Canadian and US.

Why You Should Never Eat Nonorganic Green BeansFor real. If you're worried about pesticides, or just want to stay healthy, you definitely don't want these on your plate. (The Editors of Rodale Wellness September 4, 2015) The Consumer Reports'FROM CROP TO TABLE PESTICIDE USE IN PRODUCE explains that the organophosphate chemical acephate and its breakdown product methamidophosis among the most concerning chemicals showing up on green beans, despite the fact that the Environmental Protection Agency canceled its use in 2009.

Bee and Bird-Toxic Neonicotinoid Pesticides Found in Food Served at Congressional Dining Hall(Beyond Pesticides, August 4, 2015) Nearly every food available for purchase at the U.S. Congressional Dining Hall contains detectable levels of neonicotinoids (neonics), chemical insecticides implicated in the global decline of wild and managed pollinators. The results of a new study, performed by the American Bird Conservancy (ABC) and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, reveals how reliance on these toxic chemicals can both directly and indirectly affect our food supply. Authors of the study hope the results will build Congressional support for the Saving America’s Pollinators Act of 2015, which would suspend the use of neonics while an independent review analyzes the chemical’s effects to birds, pollinators, and other wildlife. Paule''s comment: When one considers the widespread use of canola oil and corn starch in prepared foods, and the Canadian regulator (PMRA) registration of neonicotinoids for most crops including cucumbers, melons and apples, it's not a big surprise. I am sure the results would be the same for Canadian food testing. We should test the House of Commons cafeteria food. More onneonics

Study Finds Higher Toxic Load from Pesticides in Children’s Diet (Beyond Pesticides, Aug 16, 2010) A recently released study conducted by the National Institutes of Environmental HealthSciences shows government agencies may be underestimating children’s dietary exposure to pesticides and, therefore, the inherent risks to children’s health...

New, Inexpensive “Dipstick” Can Test for Pesticides in Food(Beyond Pesticides, November 12, 2009... Posted in Uncategorized) Scientists from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario have developed a dipstick test that can detect minute amounts of toxins and pesticides in foodstuffs that is slated to be less costly than current pesticide testing methods and can produce results within minutes. Their paper-strip test produces results in minutes...

What'sOnMyFood?(June 2009).PAN's new searchable web site reveals what pesticides are found on which foods, in what amount. It also, for the first time, links pesticide residues to the health effects associated with exposure to each of the chemicals. The database points to the hazards of pesticide use before food even reaches the kitchen table. The site shows how widespread use of agricultural chemicals threatens the health of workers and rural communities, as well as harming wildlife and contaminating ecosystems.